James Ravilious, photographer of rural life © Beaford Archive

Ashwell Farm, Dolton, 1977. Photograph by James Ravilious.

James Ravilious:
Reflecting the Rural

A new exhibition of photographs from the Beaford Archive open from 19th May to 29th July at Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.

Curated by Liz Nicol and Martyn Warren (University of Plymouth) the exhibition combines their individual perspectives of photographer and agriculturalist. Familiar photographs share space with others rarely seen before, put in a new context by research exploring present-day responses to Ravilious’ work.

Find your favourite exhibition image

James Ravilious, photographer of rural life © Beaford Archive

Image of James Ravilious by Alan Winn.

The Beaford Archive

An ‘endless tapestry’ of rural north Devon

The Beaford Archive is based on the work of the late artist and photographer James Ravilious (1939 - 1999), who was commissioned by Beaford Arts in 1972 to document the people and landscape of rural north Devon. Ravilious’s own work for the Beaford Archive covers the 1970s and 1980s.

Browse the Beaford Archive

Beaford Arts

Beaford Arts

Beaford Arts is England’s longest-established rural arts organisation. For over 45 years Beaford Arts, based at Greenwarren House, has been a centre of creative development for children, young people, and artists of all ages. Beaford also works with community partners across the 1300 square miles of north Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to bring extraordinary events to unexpected places throughout the year.

Visit Beaford Arts